oldkawboy
Needs a job
Posts: 2125
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posted December 13, 2011 03:41 PM
Spent a couple hours on a 14R........
And I loved it!!
While working the Long Beach IMS event this past week-end I had a chance to spend some time on a new 14 and every thing I've read is the same thing I experienced.
The bike is AWESOME.
I rode an hour each way on the Pacific Coast Highway and the bike felt so tight & smooth I hated to return it. I don't know if it's because of the stock exhaust but it was butter smooth and the transmission just clicked thru gears.
I'm on my third ZX14 and have spent a ton of miles riding them at work so I kinda know them (and love them) but man this new bike is the real deal.
The power is seamless. You can see the demo decal on the windshield so I had to ride like the respnsible adult that I am.
Did I mention I love it!
Congratulations to every one who has bought one......I'm jealous.
Dan
  
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shawnski
Pro
Posts: 1809
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posted December 13, 2011 03:53 PM
demo??? damn... that is cool!!
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WARBIRD
Needs a job
Posts: 2739
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posted December 13, 2011 03:56 PM
Heh heh........thanks for the input Dan........  Weather looks nice there, hope you are having a good time!
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I'd Rather Be Roadracing.
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ZX14 Montana
Novice Class
Posts: 44
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posted December 13, 2011 05:06 PM
oldkawboy; I have read in different articles on the 14R, that @ 5K rpm you are doing 80 mph and another that stated, @ 5k rpm you are at an indicated 89 mph...did you happen to notice? And as you have had more time to process your experience... what else did you notice? Rolling on the throttle for example...did you feel like you could loft the front end without too much work? Thank you.
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oldkawboy
Needs a job
Posts: 2125
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posted December 13, 2011 07:05 PM
Yeah Charles it was beautiful out there!!
ZX14 Montana,
I never (honestly) had a chance to cruise at 80mph.....too much traffic so I can't help you any there.
Not that I tried but in second gear the bike will have plenty of torque to power wheelie, even with stock pipes and gearing. The one I rode only had 12 miles on it and it's a company bike not my own so I had to behave. I was really interested in overall rideability and came away impressed.
The suspension felt a lot firmer than mine when compared to factory settings. The temperature was around 70* and in stop & go traffic the new fans did a great job. I really like the digital temp gauge.
Dan
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SnuffyZX
Novice Class
Posts: 94
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posted December 13, 2011 08:42 PM
Oldkawboy Glad You had a good time on the R seemless definitly decribes this bike.
ZX14 Montana from what I can recall from my rides over the weekend your doin 80 MPH at 4000 RPM ....Hope That Helps U Out.
Snuffy
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2012 S.E. Golden Blazed Green 14R
Brocks CT Dual Exhaust
Brocks Ohlins Damper
Ohlins Rear Shock
MRA Touring Screen
DDM HID's
COX Radiator Guard
Power Bronze Tire Hugger
Clear Alternatives Intergrated Tailight
2007 Candy Plasma Blue (Retired)
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ZX14 Montana
Novice Class
Posts: 44
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posted December 13, 2011 08:51 PM
Oldkawboy & SnuffyZX; thank you both...I know on my 2011 ZX14 I am doing 90ish and 5k and I was getting the impression that the gearing on this new 14R had really been changed...
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted December 13, 2011 09:24 PM
That is pretty awesome that you got to demo that demo!
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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Vmatti
Expert Class
Posts: 112
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posted December 14, 2011 12:38 AM
I'm glad to read this kind of real feedback - thanks for the sharing.
The winter will be now even longer 
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ZZR1400 -12
Hayabusa K8 (gone)
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted December 14, 2011 05:45 AM
I talked with Dan on the phone while he was stopped for a bit on his ride, he sounded like a kid on his first date! said the bike was great.
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wfobusa
Parking Attendant
Posts: 17
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posted December 14, 2011 09:57 AM
Great Teaser Dan, this will also be my 3rd 14 ... another black one.. I'm just gonna sporttour this one and not tech prep it for Maxton ... Bill
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oldkawboy
Needs a job
Posts: 2125
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posted December 14, 2011 10:54 AM
Hey Bill,
Deck the new bike out in sport-touring gear and bring it up to the new Wilmington Mile and she what she'll do!
Below is a shot from years ago. I had Beetle Bags, Heli-Bars and a sport-touring windshield on my old ZX12R and rode it 375 miles to Maxton and ran 185mph just like I rode it over there on.........it was a hoot. Folks were scratching their heads and looking at me like I was an idiot but the guys sitting in line liked all the bottled water I brought them in my bags.
Dan
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wfobusa
Parking Attendant
Posts: 17
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posted December 14, 2011 11:08 AM
Yeah, but didn't KWS work some "magic" on that one ??
Is this new mile as extensive as Maxton with the tech ?
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oldkawboy
Needs a job
Posts: 2125
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posted December 14, 2011 12:02 PM
Nope, the bike was a stocker except I removed the base gasket, cleaned up the head a little & degreed the cams.
The new Mile will have the same ECTA crew so I've been told. The track is suppose to be awesome.......I can't wait !!
Dan
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ZX14ME
Parking Attendant
Posts: 17
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posted December 14, 2011 01:49 PM
Hey Dan, nice report. I hope Kawasaki is planning on having a good number of these for demo rides in Daytona. Only 85 days 'til Bikeweek!
Gary
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09 ZX-14 Monster Edition
12 ZX-10R
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